Alan, whose wife died in 2013, filed a joint tax return for 2013. He did not remarry and continues to maintain his home in which his four dependent children live. In the preparation of his tax return for 2015, Alan should file as:

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Alan qualifies as a qualifying widow(er) for the tax year 2015 because he filed a joint tax return with his wife in 2013, she passed away, and he did not remarry. This status allows him to use the same tax rates as married taxpayers filing jointly for two years after the year of the spouse's death, as long as he has a dependent child living with him. Therefore, he can claim the benefits of lower tax rates and a higher standard deduction than if he filed as single or head of household.

Alan, Whose Wife Died in 2013, Filed a Joint Tax